Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELEVATOR ARRANGEMENT, METHOD AND SAFETY STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an elevator arrangement as
defined in the preamble of claim 1, to a method as defined in
the preamble of claim 13 and to a safety structure as defined
in the preamble of claim 19.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During the construction of elevators, installation work is
carried out in an elevator shaft from a platform or equiva-
lent provided in the elevator shaft. The installation work
includes the mounting of guide rails in the elevator shaft.
The platform is often movable so as to allow the working
height to be changed. In many cases this is implemented util-
izing so-called Tirak hoists, but other types of hoist can
also be used. The hoists can may move the platform by means
of a chain (or equivalent, such as e.g. a rope) with a 1:1
hoisting ratio, for example in an arrangement where the hoist
is fixed to the platform and exerts a pull on a chain whose
one end is fastened to a beam placed in the elevator shaft
above the platform. Alternatively, the platform can be pulled
with a 2:1 hoisting ratio e.g. by using an arrangement where
the chain of a hoist attached to the elevator car passes
around a diverting pulley mounted on a hoisting beam fastened
to the upper part of the elevator shaft and then returns back
down to the hoist on the elevator car. In this arrangement,
shortening the chain loop around the diverting pulley by
means of the hoist causes the platform to rise.
In the case of so-called jump elevators, the lower part of
the elevator shaft has been taken into use before the build-
ing has been finished. In such cases, construction of the up-
per part of the elevator shaft and installation of elevator
components in the shaft can be carried on while an elevator
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movable in the lower part of the elevator shaft is already
serving passengers on the lower floors of the building. Espe-
cially when working in an elevator shaft in a tall building,
the installer is susceptible to hazards. For example, even a
small tool falling down from on high is dangerous to people
working below. A corresponding danger results if elevator
shafts located side by side are being constructed simultane-
ously and objects are accidentally dropped so that they can
pass from one shaft into another. In such a situation, it is
not sufficient that only that shaft from whose upper part the
object falls be void of people in the lower part. Thus it is
desirable that the lower part of the adjacent shaft be void
as well. Particularly perilous hazards have aAlso, resulted
from the circumstance that it has been possible to drive a
platform with a hoist having a limited hoisting height to a
level too far down in the elevator shaft has led to particu-
larly perilous hazards, because, below the lower limit of the
hoisting range of the hoist, the shaft is substantially empty
and extends a long way downward, even down to the lowest
level of the shaft or, in the case of a jump elevator, to the
level of the machine room. This hazard is most commonly en-
countered in the installation of high-rise elevators when
structures are being installed in the upper part of the ele-
vator shaft and when the height of the elevator shaft is
greater than the maximum hoisting distance of the hoist. In
an arrangement like this, the user might drive the working
platform too far down in the elevator shaft. A hazardous
situation arises e.g. if the chain of a Tirak hoist runs out
of length before the movement has been completed, in which
case the chain may fall down into the elevator shaft and/or
the platform unexpectedly loses support. The platform may
thus start falling down, causing a particularly serious haz-
ard situation. The platform may also start falling down due
to other causes, e.g. if the hoisting ropes break or the
hoist breaks down.
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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to overcome some of
the above-mentioned drawbacks of previously known prior-art
solutions, among other things. A specific object of the in-
vention is to produce an elevator arrangement, a method and a
safety structure that will make it possible to improve eleva-
tor safety during construction time. A further object of the
invention is to achieve one or more of the following advan-
tages:
- The invention makes it possible to ensure in a simple
manner that all essential parts of the elevator
shaft/shafts are void of people.
- The invention makes it possible to ensure that the
maximal distance through which an object falls before
hitting a person working in the shaft will not exceed
an allowed maximum limit or become very large.
- The A working platform, elevator car or equivalent can
not be driven too far down in the elevator shaft.
- The structure of the invention can be easily moved.
- The structure of the invention can not fall down it-
self.
- A safer method and a safer arrangement are achieved.
- A simple and safe multi-function structure is achieved.
- The invention makes it possible to stop a working plat-
form that for some reason has started to fall.
- The working platform-can be prevented from advancing
too far into the finished part of the elevator shaft
below it.
- The range of movement of a working platform or equiva-
lent in an elevator shaft under construction or in an
elevator shaft section under construction can be delim-
ited in such manner that the elevator shaft or shaft
section under construction comprises a portion where
the working platform or equivalent can is allowed to
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move and a portion where the working platform or
equivalent can is not allowed to not move.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The arrangement of the invention is characterized by what is
disclosed in the characterizing part of claim 1. The method
of the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the
characterizing part of claim 13. The safety structure of the
invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the char-
acterizing part of claim 19. Other embodiments of the inven-
tion are characterized by what is disclosed in the other
claims. Inventive embodiments are also presented in the de-
scription part and drawings of the present application. The in-
ventive content disclosed in the application can also be de-
fined in other ways than is done in the claims below. The in-
ventive content may also consist of several separate inven-
tions, especially if the invention is considered in the light
of explicit or implicit sub-tasks or with respect to advantages
or sets of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the at-
tributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from
the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features
of different embodiments of the invention can be applied in
connection with other embodiments within the scope of the ba-
sic inventive concept.
According to the invention, the elevator arrangement com-
prises at least one elevator shaft, a working platform or
equivalent arranged to move in the elevator shaft, a power
source for moving the aforesaid working platform or equiva-
lent e.g. by means of ropes, chains, belts or equivalent. The
vertical range of movement of the said working platform or
equivalent in the elevator shaft is delimited, preferably
temporarily, in such manner that movement of the working
platform or equivalent can only take place in a section of
the elevator shaft, by means of a structure, preferably a
beam, which is mounted in the elevator shaft in the path of
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motion of the said working platform or equivalent, said
structure being fitted in the elevator shaft below the said
working platform, elevator car or equivalent at a distance
from the bottom of the elevator shaft.
5
In an embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid structure is
adapted to stop downward movement of the working platform or
equivalent after the latter has hit the said structure.
In an embodiment of the invention, the structure has been ar-
ranged to obtain the upward supporting force required for
stopping or at least retarding its own motion and/or the mo-
tion of the working platform or equivalent hitting the struc-
ture from an elevator shaft structure, preferably from the
guide rails.
In an embodiment of the invention, the said structure has
been arranged to be displaceable vertically relative to the
elevator shaft, preferably along the guide rails.
In an embodiment of the invention, the structure comprises
means for preventing at least downward motion of the safety
structure relative to the elevator shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention, the said means comprise a
gripping device arranged to grip the guide rails and fitted
to permit upward motion of the structure and to prevent its
downward motion.
In an embodiment of the invention, the gripping device has
been arranged to be continuously in contact with the guide
rail, and when the direction of motion of the gripping device
relative to the guide rail is downwards, the gripping device
has been arranged to grip the guide rail, preferably by the
aid of wedging means.
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In an embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises
two mutually adjacent elevator shafts under construction,
each shaft being provided with a working platform or equiva-
lent having a range of movement delimited in such manner that
movement of the working platform or equivalent can only take
place in a section of the elevator shaft, and that the ranges
of movement of the said working platforms or equivalent in
the mutually adjacent elevator shafts are located at substan-
tially the same heights.
In an embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid ropes,
chains, belts or equivalent are fastened to the aforesaid
structure, preferably with a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio.
In an embodiment of the invention, fitted to run in the ele-
vator shaft below the said structure is an elevator car serv-
ing elevator users in the lower parts of the building.
In an embodiment of the invention, to stop falling objects,
the invention comprises a safety net, plate, grille or
equivalent placed in the elevator shaft in the region of said
structure, preferably immediately below it, and covering at
least part of the cross-section of the elevator shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator shaft extend-
ing below the said structure is empty. In other words, imme-
diately below the structure 1 there is a substantially empty
shaft portion. Without the structure 1 the working platform
or equivalent could move to said empty shaft portion.
According to the invention, in a method for elevator con-
struction, to improve safety during construction, the range
of movement of a working platform or equivalent displaceable
in the elevator shaft is delimited by means of a structure,
preferably a beam, mounted in the elevator shaft in the path
of the working platform or equivalent so as to permit motion
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of the platform or equivalent only in a section of the eleva-
tor shaft, said structure being fitted in the elevator shaft
below the working platform or equivalent at a distance from
the bottom of the elevator shaft, said structure being pref-
erably adapted to stop downward motion of the working plat-
form or equivalent after the latter has hit the said struc-
ture.
In an embodiment of the invention, the delimited range of
movement is shifted upwards by moving the said structure,
preferably along the guide rails.
In an embodiment of the invention,, the working zone in the
other elevator shaft adjacent to the elevator shaft is delim-
ited in such manner that working in each elevator shaft is
only allowed in elevator shaft sections located at substan-
tially the same height.
In an embodiment of the invention, fitted to run in the ele-
vator shaft below the said structure is an elevator car serv-
ing elevator users in the lower parts of the building during
construction work being carried out in the elevator shaft
above the structure, and below the said structure there is in
the elevator shaft a platform to which the hoisting ropes of
the elevator car are secured, and the hoisting height of the
elevator car is increased by raising the said platform.
In an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the
structure and the said platform is increased by moving the
structure upwards in the elevator shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention, the range of movement of
the working platform or equivalent in an elevator shaft under
construction or in an elevator shaft section under construc-
tion is delimited in such manner that the elevator shaft or
shaft section under construction comprises a portion where
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the working platform or equivalent can move and a portion
where the working platform or equivalent can not move. Thus,
an elevator shaft space/portion under construction where e.g.
guide rails are being installed can be divided into parts
where the working platform can be moved and a part which can
not be reached by the working platform even if this latter
part B is included in the shaft section under construction
and not in the shaft section already in use serving users of
the building.
According to the invention, the safety structure is fitted at
a desired height in the elevator shaft so as to delimit the
range of movement of the working platform or equivalent and
preferably also to stop its motion when the elevator car hits
the safety structure. The safety structure comprises means
for preventing at least downward motion of the safety struc-
ture relative to the elevator shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention, the safety structure com-
prises at least one stopper element for receiving and pref-
erably absorbing the impact when a moving working platform or
equivalent hits the safety structure.
In an embodiment of the invention, the means for preventing
the motion of the safety structure relative to the elevator
shaft comprise a gripping device adaptable to seize an elon-
gated guide rail, which device permits guide rail movement
relative to the gripping device in a first longitudinal di-
rection of the guide rail and prevents guide rail movement
relative to the gripping device in a second longitudinal di-
rection of the guide rail, said first and second directions
being mutually opposite.
In an embodiment of the invention, the safety structure com-
prises one or more of the following:
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- Means for connecting a rope or chain to the safety
structure, such as e.g. anchorage means, and one or
more pulleys for guiding the rope or chain,
- guides fitted to be laterally supported by an elon-
gated guide rail to guide the safety structure in the
elevator shaft,
- grip releasing means, preferably manual means for mov-
ing a brake part pressed against a guide rail from a
braking position towards a position of reduced braking
force, -
- a pulley for guiding a speed limiter rope,
- means for locking the safety structure to the car
guide rails,
- a safety net, plate, grille or equivalent designed to
stop falling objects and fittable to cover at least
part of the cross-section of the elevator shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention, the safety structure is a
substantially beam-like structure, preferably fittable be-
tween two guide rails and provided with guides at its ends.
LIST OF FIGURES
In the following, the invention will be described in detail
by the aid of embodiment examples by referring to the at-
tached drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 presents a safety structure according to an embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 2 presents a side view of the safety structure in Fig. 1
as seen from lateral direction A.
Fig. 3 presents a detail of the safety structure illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 2 as seen from direction I in separation from
other structures.
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Fig. 4 presents a detail of the safety structure illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 2 as seen from direction II in separation from
other structures.
5
Fig. 5 presents a diagram representing a construction-time
elevator arrangement according to an embodiment of the inven-
tion in a building, depicted in side view.
10 Fig. 6 is a three-dimensional representation of an embodiment
of the arrangement of the invention.
Fig. 7 presents an embodiment of the arrangement of the in-
vention in side view.
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a construction-
time elevator arrangement according to an embodiment of the
invention in a building, depicted in side view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 presents a three-dimensional view of a safety struc-
ture according to the invention, designed to be mounted in an
elevator shaft. The safety structure 1 comprises means 2 for
preventing downward motion of the safety structure 1 relative
to the elevator shaft. The safety structure 1 preferably also
comprises stopper elements 3 for receiving an impact, which
are e.g. normal buffers and preferably capable of absorbing
the impact if e.g. -a moving elevator car hits the safety
structure. The safety structure 1 preferably also comprises
means 6 for connecting a rope or chain to the safety struc-
ture, such as e.g. anchorage'means and/or a pulley for guid-
ing a rope or chain via the safety structure. The safety
structure preferably also comprises guides 4, which are de-
signed to be fitted to be pressed against an elongated guide
rail to guide the safety structure in the elevator shaft. The
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safety structure preferably also comprises grip releasing
means 5, which are preferably manual means for moving a brake
part pressed against a guide rail from the braking position
towards a position of reduced braking force. In addition, the
safety structure preferably but not necessarily also com-
prises a pulley 8 for guiding the speed limiter rope.
Not all the features (e.g. items 3,4,5,6,8,9) presented in
the figure are necessary for the invention to be functional,
nor do they necessarily have to be exactly as described here.
The means 2 for preventing at least downward motion of the
safety structure 1 relative to the elevator shaft are impor-
tant for the functionality of the invention. They preferably
comprise a normal safety gear as illustrated in Fig. 1, but
they could also be implemented differently. The safety gear
presented here comprises a roller 9 placed against a guide
rail. When the roller is rotated in one direction as a result
of motion in contact with the guide rail, it becomes wedged
against the guide rail and thus produces a braking action.
When moving in the opposite direction, the roller undergoes
no wedging and causes no braking. Therefore, the safety
structure can e.g. be moved upwards against the guide rail
without resistance, whereas downward motion is prevented due
to activation of the safety gear 2. It is preferable to set
the roller in a position continuously leaning against the
guide rail during operation in order that movement of the
safety device relative to the guide rail should be transmit-
ted to the safety gear. Alternatively, these means 2 could
also be implemented differently. To produce the aforesaid ef-
fect, it would be possible to use alternatively e.g. a wedge
piece instead of a roller 9. The invention could also be ap-
plied using a solution where the said means 2 consist of
locking elements, e.g. screw-tightenable clamps, securely but
releasably lockable to the guide rail.
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In the embodiment presented in Fig. 1, the safety structure 1
is a substantially beam-like structure, but it could also be
a different type of structure. Due to the beam-like design,
the structure is simple and easy to fit between two guide
rails, preferably normal T-shaped car guide rails, preferably
so that the guides 4 at its ends, being set against the guide
rail, can guide the safety structure 1 when the latter is be-
ing moved in the vertical direction. The safety structure is
intended to be mounted in such manner that that the elongated
guide rails pass vertically at the ends of the beam structure
between the rollers of the guides 4 and simultaneously in the
slots of the safety gears 2.
Fig. 2 presents the safety structure of Fig. 1 as seen from
direction A. This figure shows diverting pulleys depicted in
broken lines to indicate what the safety structure is pref-
erably like when a diverting pulley is to be used in the
safety structure, e.g. when the elevator arrangement has a
2:1 hoisting ratio.
Fig. 3 presents a detail of the safety structure illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 2 as seen from direction I in separation from
other structures. Fig. 4 presents the same detail of the
safety structure in Figs. 1 and 2 as seen from direction II
in separation from other structures. Grip releasing means 5
(preferably a lever structure actuatable by means of a rope)
are integrated with the mounting of the safety gear 2 roller
to be fitted to lean against the guide rail. In this way it
can be moved from the braking position towards a position of
reduced braking force if the grip is to be released.
Fig. 5 presents a diagram representing an elevator arrange-
ment according to an embodiment of the invention,"depicted in
side view. Movement of the working platform or equivalent 10
is delimited by means of a structure 1 temporarily mounted in
the elevator shaft in the path of the working platform or
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equivalent 10, so that the latter can only move in a certain
portion of the elevator shaft S located at a desired height
(above level L), which elevator shaft S in its entirety will
later form an elevator shaft for actual elevator operation.
The structure placed below the working platform at a distance
from the bottom of the elevator shaft thus delimits downward
motion of the working platform and is preferably adapted to
stop the downward movement of the working platform or equiva-
lent after the latter has hit the said structure. In this so-
lution, the range of upward movement of the working platform
is not necessarily specifically delimited, but preferably it
is delimited as well. This can be advantageously implemented
using e.g. a hoisting beam to which the working platform is
movably secured. Below the structure 1, the elevator shaft
extends downward substantially empty. In other words, immedi-
ately below the structure 1 there is an empty shaft portion.
The elevator shaft extends downwards preferably empty
throughout the whole height of the elevator shaft S, S' below
the structure 1 or, in the case of a jump elevator, the ele-
vator shaft S, S' continues downwards empty down to the level
of the machine room of the jump elevator. Preferably below
the structure, in its vicinity, the elevator shaft is void of
at least traffic, moving ropes and people. The structure 1 is
preferably arranged to obtain the upward supporting force re-
quired for stopping or at least retarding its own motion
and/or the motion of the working platform or equivalent hit-
ting the structure 1 from an elevator shaft structure, pref-
erably from the guide rails G. As the construction of the
elevator shaft advances, the said structure is moved upwards,
which is preferably arranged to be implemented using the
guide rails to guide the structure.
The structure 1 is preferably of a design described elsewhere
in the present application, most preferably of the design ex-
plained in the description of Fig. 1. If the structure 1 has
been formed to comprise safety-gear type means 2, then it is
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preferable to fit the safety gear/safety gears against the
guide rails G so that they permit upward motion of the struc-
ture and prevent its downward motion. The safety gear is
preferably arranged to be continuously in contact with the
guide rail, preferably via a roller, and when safety gear mo-
tion relative to the guide rail takes place in the downward
direction, the safety gear has been arranged to grip the
rail, preferably by the action of wedging means, which are
actuated by the guide rail.
The elevator arrangement in Fig. 5 comprises two mutually ad-
jacent elevator shafts (S and S') under construction, but the
invention is also applicable for use in solutions comprising
only one elevator shaft. According to an embodiment of the
invention, in multi-shaft elevator solutions the hazard
caused by mutually adjacent elevator shafts to each other is
minimized by delimiting the working zone in each shaft so
that both working zones are located at the same height. In
this case, as the work is progressing, the working zones are
preferably redefined simultaneously in both elevator shafts
and again in such manner that the working zones are located
at the same height. One or both of the elevator shafts can be
provided with a working platform or equivalent whose range of
movement is delimited, preferably by means of the structure
1, so that movement of the platform can only take place in a
portion of the elevator shaft as described above. This de-
limitation can also be implemented by other means, which may
be necessary if movable working platforms are not used in one
of the shafts.
Fig. 6 presents an arrangement implemented with a 1:1 hoist-
ing ratio and utilizing the safety structure 1. A safety rope
R and a hoisting rope 36 are fastened by their first ends to
a hoisting beam mounted in the elevator shaft and by their
second ends to the safety structure 1. The working platform P
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is moved by means of a hoist T which is mounted on the work-
ing platform P and climbs along the rope 36.
Fig. 7 presents an arrangement implemented in a corresponding
5 manner with a 2:1 hoisting ratio, wherein the movable working
platform or equivalent is an elevator car C. The hoist T,
preferably a Tirak hoist, drives a rope 32 through itself,
the slack rope portion being passed via pulleys 38 mounted on
the safety beam 1 to a reel 37 on the top of the elevator car
10 C.
The list below refers to Figs. 6 and 7:
1 safety structure
2 safety gear of safety structure
15 3 buffer
30 safety gear of working platform, slack rope operated
31 safety gear of elevator car
32 Tirak rope
33 so-called automatic safety gear trigger
34 speed limiter rope
35 speed limiter
36 rope of hoist, such as Tirak
37 Tirak rope reeler
38 Tirak rope pulley
39 so-called "block stop"
40 hoisting beam
T Tirak
C elevator car
G guide rail
R safety rope
P working platform
The arrangements illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 are applicable
for utilization in conjunction with the arrangement repre-
sented by Fig. 5 and in the method described elsewhere in the
present application. In Figs. 6 and 7, the working platform
or equivalent moves along the guide rails G; for the sake of
clarity, other structures of the elevator shaft (extending
below the structure 1 in the figure) are omitted from the
figure. In this solution, the range of movement is delimited
at the lower end by the safety structure 1. At the upper end,
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the range need not necessarily be delimited, but the hoisting
beam 40 may function as a delimiter. Also, the user could be
alerted when approaching the end of guide rails not yet com-
pleted. Not all the features presented in Figs. 6 and 7 are
required for the functionality of the invention, but features
can be varied or omitted as necessary by the person skilled
in the art. In both Figs. 6 and 7, the working platform or
equivalent (P and C) comprises stopper elements (e.g.
buffer), and the buffers 3 comprised in the structure 1 are
fitted on the path of the stopper elements. This stopper ar-
rangement is preferably included in all the embodiments de-
scribed in the present application. However, even without
stopper elements, the structure 1 functions as a delimiter of
the range of movement, because it gives the user a visual
signal about an approaching limit zone.
In the embodiments described here, it is possible to fit an
elevator car K below the structure 1 for operation during
construction of the elevator, e.g. as illustrated in Fig. 8,
to serve elevator users in the lower parts of the building.
Thus, installers working from a working platform 10 movable
in the elevator shaft (S, S') portion above the structure 1
can carry on the installation of structures, such as e.g.
guide rails, in the upper parts of the elevator shaft (S, S')
while the elevator cars K are already in use. In this case,
below the structure 1 there, is preferably also a platform M
supporting the elevator car K, the hoisting ropes (not shown)
used to move the elevator car K being secured to this plat-
form. The said platform M is preferably a machine room plat-
form, in which case the platform M also carries a hoisting
machine for moving the hoisting ropes. The elevator shaft (S,
S') below the structure 1 extends empty down to the level of
the platform M, in practice to the most elevated parts of the
structures on the machine room platform, e.g. to the ceiling
structure. In other words, below the structure 1 there is an
empty portion of the elevator shaft (S, S'). In the manner
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illustrated in Fig. 8, the structure 1 can be installed at a
distance from the structures on platform M. Without the
structure 1, platform (10,P,C) could move downwards past
level L if there are no obstructions in the path of the plat-
form. The distance between the structure 1 and the platform M
increases when the structure 1 is moved upwards while the
platform supporting the elevator car K remains in place and
the elevator car K continues serving users in the lower parts
of the building. When sufficient progress has been made in
the construction work in the upper parts, a jump-lift can be
carried out and platform M is also moved upwards. In the fig-
ure, reference number A indicates that portion of the eleva-
tor shaft section under construction in the upper part of the
building where the working platform is allowed to move, and
reference number B indicates that portion of the elevator
shaft section under construction in the upper part of the
building which can not be reached by the working platform. A
and B together form the elevator shaft section under con-
struction.
The elevator arrangement preferably but not necessarily com-
prises a safety net, plate, grille or equivalent placed in
the elevator shaft (S, S') in the region of the structure 1,
preferably immediately below it, and covering at least part
of the cross-section of the elevator shaft to stop falling
objects. The net, plate, grille or equivalent may be secured
to the structure 1 and/or to the elevator shaft, and, alone
or together with the safety structure 1, it covers substan-
tially the entire consumption of the elevator shaft. In Fig.
8, the net is depicted with broken line below the structure
1. The structure 1 is preferably of simple and light con-
struction and easy to move. Therefore it is most preferably
mounted in separation from the hoisting machine.
In the method of the invention in elevator construction, to
improve safety during construction, the range of movement of
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the working platform or equivalent movable in the elevator
shaft is delimited in such manner that movement of the work-
ing platform or equivalent can only take place in a section
of the elevator shaft, which elevator shaft in its entirety
will later form an elevator shaft intended for actual eleva-
tor operation. This is advantageously accomplished by means
of a structure, preferably a beam-like structure placed be-
tween the guide rails, which structure is fitted in the ele-
vator shaft below the said working platform, elevator car or
equivalent at a distance from the bottom end of the elevator
shaft, said structure being fitted to stop downward motion of
the working platform, elevator car or equivalent after the
latter has hit the said structure.
In the method, as the work progresses, the delimited range of
movement is shifted upwards by removing the said structure 1,
preferably along the guide rails. Such removal of the struc-
ture 1 is preferably implemented by raising the hoisting beam
40 e.g. by means of a hoist, said beam being connected to the
structure 1 by ropes.
In the method, if there is beside the elevator shaft S a sec-
ond corresponding elevator shaft S', the working zone in this
second elevator shaft can preferably also be delimited in
such manner that in each shaft working is only permitted in
elevator shaft sections located at substantially the same
heights.
In other respects, the procedures observed in the method of
the invention may be as described before. It is preferable to
use a safety structure as presented earlier in the descrip-
tion relating to Fig. 1.
All the solutions described in the present application are
applicable for use in elevator construction, which refers to
e.g. initial installation, repair or modification of an ele-
CA 02728928 2010-12-21
WO 2010/010226 PCT/F12009/000066
19
vator. The solutions are particularly well suited for so-
called jump elevators and in the construction of high-rise
elevators.
Especially in the case of a jump elevator, the method com-
prises an elevator car K fitted to travel in the elevator
shaft (S, S') below the structure 1 in the manner illustrated
in Fig. 8 to serve elevator users in the lower parts of the
building during installation work being carried out in the
elevator shaft (S, S') above the structure 1. Below the
structure 1 there is in the elevator shaft (S, S') a platform
M to which the hoisting ropes of the elevator car are se-
cured. In the method, the hoisting height of the elevator car
K is increased by raising the platform M.
In the method, as installation work is progressing in the
parts above the platform M, the range of movement of the
working platform (10,P,C) can be shifted upwards to increase
the distance between the structure 1 and the platform M.
It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that different
embodiments of the invention are not exclusively limited to
the embodiments described above, in which the invention has
been described by way of example, but that many variations
and different embodiments of the invention are possible
within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the claims
below.
